Glenbard South, West students named National Merit semifinalists

GLEN ELLYN – Three students from Glenbard South and West high schools join about 16,000 of their peers nationwide as semifinalists in the 59th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Jennifer Lipa from Glenbard South and Ellen Woods and Joy Xue from Glenbard West were all named semifinalists, giving them the opportunity to compete for about 8,000 scholarships worth about $35 million that will be awarded in the spring.

Semifinalists need to fulfill various requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent are expected to reach that level, and more than half of those who do will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.